History of Micrometer

A Brief History of the Micrometer



Copyright © 2008 by Mitutoyo America Corporation

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Printed November 2008

1A Brief History of the Micrometer

Contents

Foreword 2History of Machine Tools and Micrometers 4

Chapter I: The Early Period 6Threads Used in Linear MeasurementsFirst Attempt to Measure Length with Threads 6Watt’s Tabletop Micrometer 7"Lord Chancellor" by the Father of Machine Tools 8The First Commercial Measuring Machine 9

Chapter II: The Bronze Age 10Creating the Basic Design of a MicrometerThe Birth of the Modern Micrometer 10Born in France, Raised in America 11Micrometers for Plate Thickness Measurements 12Micrometers for All Applications 13

Chapter III: The Rise of Industry 14Progress in JapanExpanding Technologies in Japan 14Domestic Manufacturers Start R & D 15Micrometers by Mitutoyo 16Micrometers During the War 17

Chapter IV: Rise of "Made in Japan" 18Period of Worldwide ExpansionHardships During and After the War 18From Reconstruction to Mass Production 19Innovations to Meet Industry Needs 20Maturity Through Intense Competition 21

Chapter V : A Partner of Information System 22Moving into the Silicon AgeFrom Reading Graduations to Looking at a Display 22Advancements in Digital Displays 23Merits of Data Output 24Completing a Full Circle 25

Chapter VI: The Future of Micrometers 26The Next generation of micrometersA Revolutionary Advancement in Micrometer Technology 26Pioneering Design: 2mm Feed Per Revolution 28Index 30


A Brief History of the Micrometer2

Over 4.6 billion years ago, Planet Earth was formed.

Our distant ancestors debuted only 5 million

years ago. Though primitive, they were believed to have

used stones as tools. A scant 500 thousand years ago,

modern man (homosapiens) roamed the land. Today, their

descendants use tools to build large structures, design high

speed vehicles, and manufacture microscopic parts too

small for the human eye to see.

Making this possible are fabricating devices called Machine

Tools. Also known as the 'Mother Machine', they are one

of the foundations of industrial progress. Originally created

to meet the manufacturing needs of watchmakers, their

use has extended to all aspects of manufacturing.

To meet and ensure design specifications, it was necessary

to incorporate measuring instruments into the production

Foreword


line. As Machine Tools grew to become one of the

essential elements of the manufacturing industry, so did

the accompanying measuring instruments such as the

Micrometer.

Invented in the 18th Century, the Micrometer was initially

bulky and restricted to the tabletop. Over time, newer

models became compact enough to be operated by one

hand and still provide outstanding measuring accuracy.

This booklet covers the birth and evolution of

Micrometers: tools essential

to the progress

of modern industry.



History of Machine Tools and Micrometers

Year Micrometers Industry and Machine Tools

BC period c.200BCScrew thread invented

c.300BCOldest turning machine found in Egypt

Before 1600

15th Century Leonardo da Vinci proposed lathe16th CenturyGear-cutting machine developed

17thCentury

1639W. Gascoigne invented a micrometer caliper comprising of jaws and scale

1638W. Gascoigne utilized screw threads to observe stars. The first recorded application of screw threads

18thCentury

1772J. Watt invented the table-top micrometer

1713J.Maritz invented the vertical boring machine1763Pertherwood invented a special turning machine to cut threads on cylinder surfaces1765J. Watt granted a patent for the steam engine1775J. Wilkinson invented a boring machine to cut internal cylinders, contributing to increased power of steam engines.

19thCentury

1805H. Maudslay invented the table-top micrometer called ‘Lord Chancellor’1848J. Palmer received a patent for his micrometer called ‘Palmer System’ in France1855J. Whitworth invented a horizontalcalibration machine and made it available for sale1868Brown & Sharpe invented pocket-sized micrometers for measuring plate thicknesses

c.1800H. Maudslay, the father of machine tools,invented reciprocating gear-cutting lathe1827E. Whitney invented the horizontal milling machine1830B. Thimonnier invented the sewing machine1838R. Buchanan invented the radial boring machine


Year Micrometers Industry and Machine Tools

19thCentury

1877Victor Machine placed an ad for their micrometer in the inaugural issue of American Machinist

1876N. Otto invented the combustion engine

20thCentury

1920 ~ 1935Several Japanese manufacturers start producing micrometers

1938Mitutoyo starts producingMicrometers

1947Mitutoyo restarts producing Micrometers after WWII

1953Mitutoyo produced the 3 meter outside micrometer, the largest in the world

1969Mitutoyo started producing 3-pointed inside micrometers

1979First digital Micrometer in Japan introduced by Mitutoyo

1903Wright brothers succeeded in their first flight

1907H. Ford introduced the Model T, the first car to be mass-produced

1941US suspends export of machines to Japan

1952MIT produced first NC milling machine

1956Fanuc produced the NC turret punch press machine, the first in Japan

1958US Kerney Trecker produced first machining center

1982Japanese machine tools are recorded as the largest in terms of value in the world

21stCentury

2003Mitutoyo introduced its first coolant-proof micrometer

2004Mitutoyo introduced its improved ratchet-thimble micrometer

2001Kyoto Protocol to reduce the emissionof greenhouse gases completed

2006Japanese Machine tool industry achieved the largest annual sales worth $14.3 billion, exceeding 1990 records



Chapter I: The Early Period

First Attempt to Measure Length with Threads

H. Gascoigne's Micrometer Caliper

Measurement started as early as 5000 years ago when the Egyp-

tians built the Pyramids.The principle of screw threads

was used by the Greeks to raise wa-ter from a lower to a higher level. The idea of using these same threads for measurement did not exist then.

It was during the 17th century when threads were utilised to meas-ure the length of objects. In 1638, the English astronomer W. Gascoigne used the principle of threads to meas-ure the distance of stars. Fine-adjust-ing his telescope by screw threads, he measured the stars in the nightly sky. However in this method, he did

not use threads to directly measure the objects. Nevertheless, his method of measuring distances by thread displacement was similar to modern methods.

In the following year, he invented a measuring gage called the “Caliper Micrometer". The system comprised of a rotating handle attached to the end of a threaded rod connected to a movable jaw. A reading was achieved by counting the revolutions of the handle against an attached disc. The disc divided one rotation into 10 equal parts, thus he could measure the dis-tance covered by the moving jaw with accuracy.


More than a century after Gas-coigne invented his measuring

instrument, James Watt of the steam engine fame invented the first bench-type micrometer. A key concept of his design was magnification based on threads. In all history books, his name is always mentioned, and with good reason: Without Watt, a history of micrometers cannot be written.

His invention, briefly described, consists of a rack-and-pinion mecha-nism connected to rotating threads. In practice, a measuring blade at-tached to the rack advances and makes contact with an object to be measured. The movement of threads was measured by a pair of gradu-ated discs attached to the end of the

Watt’s Tabletop Micrometer

James Watt's Tabletop micrometer (replica)

threads. The larger graduated disc indicates revolution of threads, while the smaller one indicates fractions of an inch. The smallest reading on the large dial face was 1/10000 of an inch.

At the time, gages were general-ly large and cumbersome to operate, and for that reason his gage was de-signed to be used on a workbench.

James Watt was the first to em-ploy a "U"-shaped frame, and can be recognised as a standard design for modern micrometers. However, for a long period of time following Watt’s invention, the "U"-shaped frame was not used, and micrometers using this design did not appear in the market.

Threads Used in Linear Measurements



In the early part of the 19th century, Sir Henry Maudslay was known as

“The Producer of Best Machine Tools“ in London.

His screw-cutting lathe invented circa 1800 was said to be the origin of modern Machine Tools. Moreover, he produced a dedicated machine to mass manufacture pulleys used in sail-ing ships. He also conceived the idea of modern machine shops, and provided input for the development of surface grinders and milling machines.

He was well respected in England and was called the "Father of Ma-chine Tools". In the field of machine tools, Maudslay's name is held in

"Lord Chancellor" by the Father of Machine Tools

Maudslay's "Lord Chancellor" a table-top micrometer

high regard, second only to Leonardo da Vinci.

Maudslay also left his mark in measuring instruments. His table-top micrometer, called "Lord Chan-cellor", was the most precise of that day and considered as the beginning of precision measuring instruments.

It was a brass four-legged table-top device about 40cm long, and featured a pair of blocks to sand-wich objects. Below the saddle was an opening, and to its edge were 1/10000 inch graduations. It was so precise that it was retested years later in 1918 and was still found to be accurate.


Threads Used in Linear Measurements

James Watt and Maudslay's table-top micrometers were largely lim-

ited to private use. It was only during the later part of the 19th century that precision measuring machines were made available for sale.

It was Sir Joseph Whitworth who introduced one of the most remarkable instruments of that period: his "millionth of an inch" (0.254μm) measuring machine, many of which were sold to the general public. Today, a 1.8 meter-long Whitworth measuring machine is displayed at the Mitutoyo Museum.

Sir Whitworth was one of the giants in engineering after Maudslay: He was

The First Commercial Measuring Machine

Whitworth's "Millionth of an inch" measuring machine

well known for the threads bearing his name — Whitworth Thread. Whitworth was also excel lent in managing machine shop operations. He also created a method to make flat surface plates, and simplified maintenance by using standardized screw threads. He always experimented and tested a prototype, and his decision was based on supporting data. His knowledge aided in streamlining manufacturing operations and establishing analytical control systems.

He was a frontrunner in the mid 19th century and his contributions left an indelible mark in the development of Machine Tools.



Chapter II: The Bronze Age

Today's standard Micrometer fea-tures a "U"-shaped frame and

one handed operation. Many manu-facturers share this common microm-eter design. The origin of this design can be traced back to the French in-ventor J. Palmer who received his pat-ent in 1848. It was called the “Palmer System”.

As stated earlier, using screw threads for measuring linear distances has its origin in Gascoigne's invention in 1638. Essentially, Palmer used the same principle in his compact hand-held micrometer. However, his design was more advanced and marked the beginning of modern micrometers. Palmer's contribution was immeasur-able in the history of the micrometer.

The Birth of the Modern Micrometer

Palmer's Micrometer displayed in Paris

Modern micrometers closely fol-low the Palmer System’s basic design of a "U"-shaped frame, thimble, sleeve, spindle, anvil, etc. The reading edge of the thimble was slightly ta-pered down to meet the graduations on the sleeve. The circumference of the thimble was divided into 20 equal parts, thus providing accuracy of up to 0.05mm.

Brown and Sharpe of B&S Co. visited the International Exposition in Paris in 1867. It was there that they both witnessed the Palmer System for the first time and made the deci-sion to bring it back to America. This encounter in Paris led to a successful introduction of micrometers across the Atlantic.


Creating the Basic Design of a Micrometer

The Palmer System brought back to America by Brown and Sharpe

was not perfect in workmanship. It employed 1mm pitch threads and was accurate up to 0.05mm. While the drawings of Palmer's patent ap-plication were carefully rendered, the design could be improved. For exam-ple, it offered no spindle clamp. More importantly, the graduated lines were not equally spaced.

However, Brown and Sharpe did not pay attention to these minor imper-

Born in France, Raised in America

fections: they could improve upon the original design by replacing it with a finer 40 threads per inch spindle.

The Palmer System was brought across the Atlantic by two American entrepreneurs, and it was in America where improvements in micrometer design took place in earnest. It was the countless new innovations added to it in America that made the micrometer so popular today. The modern microm-eter was truly born in France and raised in America.



Micrometers were needed in Amer-ica for a good reason: Manufac-

turers and customers could not agree on the thickness of brass plates, due to the fact that they each used their own special gages to take their readings.

The chief inspector of BridgeportBrass Plate Company was S. Wilmot. He produced six trial gages whose de-sign was influenced by the table-top micrometer produced by a company in New York. It was Wilmot who present-ed one of his prototypes to the Brown and Sharpe Company, and suggested that they market it for general use.

The appearance and principles

Micrometers for Plate Thickness Measurements

Brown & Sharpe's pocket micrometer for plate thickness

used in the prototype were close to what a micrometer should be. Howev-er, the reading of dimensions was com-plicated. The operator was required to interpret the measured values based on the meeting point of the lines. This design proved to be unsuccessful.

Brown and Sharpe studied the micrometer they brought back from Paris, and added two features: a mechanism to hold spindle threads better, and a spindle clamp. Their tiny pocket-type micrometer was pro-duced in 1868 and introduced in the market the following year.


Creating the Basic Design of a Micrometer

Micrometers for All Applications

Micrometer Caliper Introduced by Victor Machine Co.

Brown and Sharpe correctly sur-mised that micrometers would be

a necessity in all machine shops. In 1877, nearly 10 years after their tiny pocket-type micrometers debuted, Brown and Sharpe produced their first 11inch outside micrometers (accurate to 0.001inch or 0.0254mm). It took them a long time to reach this point.

The inaugural issue of American Machinists in November 1877 carried an advertisement placed by Victor Machine Co., announcing a new micrometer made in America. There was no adver-tisement placed by Brown and Sharpe.

It appeared that both Brown and

Sharpe and Victor Machine had devel-oped micrometers almost simultaneous-ly. At this period in America, the sewing machine was soon to become a popular product. To manufacture parts and com-ponents for sewing machines more pre-cisely, the micrometer was a must.

Regardless of which company was the first to introduce it to the market, both companies ensured that they were widely available. Microm-eters were now used in machine shops to improve product quality. It was the efforts of these companies to mass-produce and promote micrometers that deserves recognition.



Chapter III: The Rise of Industry

In Japan, the aspiration to become a "nation of power and technology"

emerged during the Meiji period. This spirit was further enforced during the Taisho and Showa periods that fol-lowed. Consistent with this direction, the Japanese government also helped bring advanced foreign technologies into Japan, supporting the growth of its domestic industries. The Army, Navy and Air Force, together with the Rail-road Ministry also pushed industrialisa-tion in Japan.

With this as a backdrop, a move to create domestic companies dealing in advanced industries such as machine tools and measuring instruments start-ed. To help in this process, government organizations helped import products from overseas and assisted in creating

prototypes. With this support, domestic manufacturers in Japan were ready to produce products themselves.

Such companies started by taking foreign-made products and creating their equivalents domestically. In the process, they acquired technical know-how and created production techniques suitable for their own situation.

At the time, the domestic industry was dominated by textile production. The production of airplanes and cars for military use only just started. The con-sumption of tools increased in tandem with the push for industrialization.

After the Manchurian Incident, the production of airplanes accelerated which in turn boosted the need for ma-chine tools and measuring instruments of all kinds.

Expanding Technologies in Japan

Textile factory in the 1910s (Source: Gunze)


Progress in Japan

The first use of a micrometer in the factory in Japan was at the

end of the Meiji period. At the time, it was limited to a handful of compa-nies. With the use of micrometers, they were able to measure products more accurately and quickly. As a re-sult, there was a significant drop in rejected products.

Imported micrometers were limited in number. Some compa-nies tried to make micrometers themselves. The first attempt was not recorded and there is no way to tell whether it was a private or military organization. It is also im-possible to tell when this move first

started in Japan.According to the official record,

Sonoike Manufacturing Co., then the best known machine tools and fixture maker, made a prototype micrometer in 1918. They made it based on C. E. Johansson's model. In 1921, Sonoike Mfg. Co. par-ticipated in a machine tool show organized by the government, dis-playing inch and metric micrometers as well as micrometer heads.

Shortly after 1929, Tsugami Mfg. Co. and from 1931 through 1934, Mitutoyo, Mitsuiseiki, NSK, Fujikochi, started R&D work on micrometers.

Domestic Manufacturers Start R & D

Model of Early Mitutoyo factory in Kamata, Tokyo



Mitutoyo was among the group of manufacturers that started to

work on micrometers in the early period. Its founder, Yehan Numata, purchased a small lot in Kamata, Tokyo, in 1934. He started his R&D efforts, hoping to in-troduce his micrometers one day. Three years later, after countless trial-and-error attempts, he finally produced the first Mitutoyo micrometer for sale.

Their first commercially available micrometer was produced in 1937. To promote the first lot of micrometers, a special promotional towel was pre-pared. On it was a slogan: "Good, Inex-pensive and Long Lasting: The World's

Best Micrometer".The leading principles of his com-

pany were "Good Environment, Good People, and Good Technology". Hav-ing led his small group, he understood the importance of the mindset of his coworkers. Yehan Numata believed that good people could be raised in a good working environment.

In order to manufacture products trusted by users, he knew that the proc-ess of educating his coworkers was es-sential. A concept of raising good peo-ple first before making products is not new today. This approach at Mitutoyo started over 70 years ago.

Micrometers by Mitutoyo

First Mitutoyo Micrometer

Promotional towel distributed nationwide


Chapter III: The Rise of Industry

Progress in Japan

Micrometers made in Japan became available from several sources.

However, not many of them received the level of trust they had expected. It was difficult to manufacture micrometers without prior experience. It was equally difficult to have them accepted by users who preferred imported brands.

Meanwhile, the nation started to prepare for war in 1941. Demand for micrometers increased along with in-creased production of war materials such as guns, battleships and airplanes. As imported goods were restricted, the mili-tary government authorised Mitutoyo to continue the production of micrometers. This production was carried out until the end of the war.

This is not well known, but the first serious attempt to manage pro-duction processes in Japan started

with the Yamato, the largest battleship ever built. Comprehensive planning was needed to produce a battleship as large as the Yamato in a narrow shipyard, and make it seaworthy by the set deadline. Necessary compo-nents, often extremely large, must be delivered to the specified location on the specified day to make the best use of a limited-space dry dock. To over-come this enormous task of building the largest battleship, it was necessary to standardize components and parts. As a result, the "Just-In-Time" method was formulated out of necessity.

The road to standardization start-ed here, and years later this process was adopted in production and quality control. In short, the Battleship Yama-to was the roots of modern production methods in Japan.

Battleship Yamato under construction (Source: Yamato Museum)

Micrometers During the War



Throughout the WWII period and even thereafter, the production of

micrometers encountered enormous difficulties. A nation engaged in war required micrometers to produce high accuracy and high quality war materi-als such as tanks, battleships, airplanes, guns and ammunition. However, micrometers were in short supply.

Meanwhile, so called ABCD-line allies stopped all shipments of essen-tial raw materials. This aggravated an already short supply of raw materi-als for the metalworking industry. To produce a less than perfect product or to create waste was not toler-

ated. Skilled engineers and workers had gone to the battlefields, leaving behind the young, the old, and the womenfolk.

Then came the end of WWII. All major cities had been burned to ashes, and Mitutoyo's Kamata Factory was no exception. The adjacent Mi-zonokuchi Factory ceased to operate and closed its doors. With only a few security personnel to guard the prop-erty, the entire operation was closed.

Later, soldiers from overseas returned to their homeland. The na-tion awoke to a different world, and slowly started to rebuild itself.

Hardships During and After the War

Chapter IV: Rise of "Made in Japan"

Private citizens supporting the war efforts


Period of Worldwide Expansion

Reconstruction of a nation had be-gun. But basic items such as food,

clothing, and living necessities had to be provided for first. It took a while for measuring gages to make a come-back. Nevertheless, in October 1947, Mitutoyo restarted production of micrometers and in 1949 it was ready for full production.

In the international scene, po-larization of two major powers was established and war broke out in the Korean Peninsula. The US military personnel stationed in Japan moved quickly to Korea. In so doing, they turned to Japan for military materials, thus igniting a round of economic ac-tivities which revived the metalwork-ing industry.

By the 1950s, domestic demand for consumer goods such as televi-sions and cars had increased and gave momentum to the manufacturing sector. Against this backdrop, mass production had started, and in the process stimulated the economy in Japan. To achieve the goals of a large scale production, all parts must be made within much tighter tolerances. Statistical Process Control to man-age production runs and rational ap-proaches in manufacturing took the centerstage during this period.

A trend toward tighter size con-trol was not limited to mass-produced parts. In shipbuilding and in steel mills, micrometers were also used to validate specifications.

From Reconstruction to Mass Production

Conveyor-belt line during the 1960s



As the manufacturing sector in Japan regained its strength, the

areas of application where a microm-eter could be used increased steadily. The measuring range of micrometers also increased significantly. For ex-ample, in 1953 a micrometer capable of measuring a 3 meter diameter was produced and sent to a shipbuilder to measure a shaft.

By taking into account user feedback on micrometer specifica-tions, the quality of Made-in-Japan micrometers reached a point where they were acceptable to overseas customers.

Some of the improvements made were:

1: Satin-chrome finished thimble, sleeve, and frame: Improved contrast of graduated lines and assured longer tool life.

2: Friction Thimble: In addition to the standard ratchet stop, this feature was added to provide constant pres-sure, making it easy for an operator to use it with one hand.

3: Hardened and ground spindle threads to achieve higher accuracy and durability.

4: Carbide-tipped measuring faces for more precision and durability.

5: The conventional ring clamp was rede-signed to a lever-type spindle clamp.

6: Special-purpose micrometers for threads and other forms were produced.

7: Mechanical type digital counter was added to standard micrometers.

Innovations to Meet the Needs

Extra large micrometer for heavy industry


Period of Worldwide Expansion

During the WWII and a few years thereafter, the quality of "less

than perfect" micrometers started to improve dramatically due in part to the rising demands of end-users. Research and development had also begun to discover materials that would not be affected significantly by variations in temperature. Another area of research during this period was to find a new way to cut spindle threads - the heart of the micrometer.

The quality improvement of mi-crometers was one thing, but contain-ing manufacturing costs was another. In spite of that, Mitutoyo's microm-eters gradually became comparable to foreign counterparts and started to

surpass them in quality and price. All told, “Made in Japan” products started to be accepted by customers in many countries, and the micrometer was no exception. Behind all this was a series of improvements that took place in ar-eas such as materials, manufacturingmethods, assembly, and process con-trol. Surviving through intense compe-tition, Mitutoyo established itself as a leader in high-tech micrometers.

Innovations in electronics changed the way all measuring instruments were perceived: The emphasis had shifted from reading graduated lines to glancing at LCD displays. The advent of electronics gave rise to a new breed of micrometers.

Maturity Through Intense Competition

Micrometer bearing "Made in Japan"



Chapter V : A Partner of Information System

T he bulky table-top microm-eters of the past had been

completely transformed into a much simpler and easier gage to handle on the shop floor. A revised micrometer frame allowed it to reach areas once in-accessible by old models. Not long ago, machinists needed to take time to care-fully read and interpret line graduations. Everyone understood that one must pay attention in the reading process. If a micrometer was used only a few times a day, it would not matter; but if the reading should be repeated tens and hundreds of times a day, the process of reading micrometers became very time consuming. Moreover, operator fatigue would cause reading errors.

It became necessary for standard micrometers to be redesigned to show measured dimensions in digits — a move from reading graduations to look-ing at LCD display.

Earliest models were based on mechanical digital counters. Those were capable of resolutions up to 1/100mm. With the advent of LED/LCD, 7-segments, and other innovations, micrometers were given a chance to incorporate what the latest in microchip technology offered. Thus, Digital Micrometers based on electronics became a standard.

It opened up a potential area where micrometers might still be improved in view of a total measurement system.

From Reading Graduations to Looking at a Display

Digital Micrometers (mechanical and electronic models)


Moving into the Silicon Age

Reading a micrometer is a delicate operation: machinists are trained

to add one revolution to a micrometer reading depending on how many turns the thimble has turned. For example, a thimble reading may suggest either 8.23mm or 8.73mm. This decision must be made by looking at the sleeve more intently — a process of learning how to read a micrometer.

The introduction of the digital micrometer eliminated this possible reading error, and became the pre-ferred system for all users the world over. The advertisement above intro-duces a new model called the "Count Micrometer". This feature was added to all models to make readings fast and accurate. However, the classic line graduated models were still produced

Advancements in Digital Displays

Introducing Count Micrometers

because many seasoned machinists didn’t need the digital counter. They were also not satisfied with the limita-tion of an accuracy of only 1/100mm. They demanded a finer digital resolu-tion of 1/1000mm (1μm). The birth of microchips and LSIs has also changed the industry, and demand steadily increased for these higher accuracy micrometers.

The first LCD digital model with a resolution of 1/1000mm offered by Mitutoyo required three batteries and was rather heavy. One notewor-thy feature on this early model was a plug-in connector to send data to other devices.



NC Machines and automation in the field of machine tools revolu-

tionised the traditional method of pro-duction. In larger factories, total con-trol systems were deployed through computer technology where data is stored and shared by many users. This required a flexible system of control to cope with a wide variety of products produced in small lots.

In this day and age where dimen-sional tolerances are much tighter and the products manufactured are more complex, quality control and produc-tion methods must also be evolved from a single point of measurement to multi-faceted operations. In so do-ing, the expectations for a gage has

also changed from a simple hand-held micrometer to an input device for a total information system.

In the manufacturing sector, the ultimate goal of information tech-nology is to build a climate of shared data throughout the entire organisa-tion. With this in mind, Mitutoyo's digital micrometers feature an out-put port for downloading so that creating SPC and other reports are easily done.

This approach leads to the pre-diction of controlled dimensions and avoidance of potential hazards in quality control. With this line of thought, Mitutoyo is at the cutting edge of technology.

Merits of Data Output

Overview of a Quality Control System (in 1987)


Moving into the Silicon Age

Large and medium size companies aim for consolidation of all data

in plant operations, from materials to quality control, and from initial de-sign stage to the final product. Not all manufacturing operations are alike in the pursuit of their goals. The major-ity of medium-to-small companies in Japan do not need such a comprehen-sive system in quality control.

Some users pay more attention on how to maximise the value of a single micrometer. Those who are in this group demand compactness, long-lasting battery life, waterproof-ing and low cost; all of which are reasonable and realistic requests. A product cannot achieve the status

Completing a Full Circle

Ads for Digimatic products

of the "very best" in its intended field without accommodating re-quests raised from all levels of users. In the process of product planning, engineers must look at the market through a lens resembling a com-pound eye.

From the outset, only a handful of companies started making mi-crometers, and were joined by nearly a dozen more in Japan. Emerging from this, the winner was Mitutoyo, which has been producing microm-eters for over seventy years. It pro-duces literally hundreds of types of micrometers for every conceivable purpose. Behind all this is a spirit of putting the users' needs first.



Abrief history of the micrometer has been presented in the pre-

ceding chapters. For all micrometers, the core element of magnification was the screw threads that transformed minute linear displacements into larger areas represented by the thimble. The accuracy of the threads dictated the accuracy of a micrometer.

Since the early days, microm-eters employed 0.5mm pitch threads (.025in. for inch models), which took 50 revolutions to travel from 0 to 25mm. Proportionally, it would move twice as fast if a 1mm thread pitch was used. Such micrometers are also

available. However, the thimble would also need to accommodate 100 lines on its circumference, which would re-sult in a far larger thimble. This would negatively affect one handed opera-tion of a micrometer. To keep it within a reasonable size, space between the graduation lines must be made nar-rower, even though it may be harder to read.

The new Mitutoyo QuantuMike introduced in 2007 is based on a 2mm thread pitch — moving four times faster than the conventional de-signs. This unique configuration has never been attempted before.

Chapter VI: The Future of Micrometers

Range: 0~25mm

Resolution: 0.001mm

Range: 25~50mm

Resolution: 0.001mm

A Revolutionary Advancement in MicrometerTechnology

A Revolutionary Advancement in micrometer technology

Mitutoyo unleashes the next generation of micrometers,

delivering unsurpassed performance since the innovation by James Watt in 1772. Thanks to the integration of sophisticated manufacturing and cutting-edge technology from Mitutoyo, the QuantuMike far exceeds users’ expectations.

The name QuantuMike is derived from ‘Quantum’ and ‘Micrometer’, reflecting our belief that this tool represents a quantum leap in micrometer ergonomics.



Measuring coaxial workpiece

All conventional micrometers re-quire 50 revolutions per 25mm.

With 2mm screw threads, the new QuantuMike moves four times faster, thus making it much easier to oper-ate. A little known fact: after a square workpiece is measured, the spindle must be rolled back to disengage it. A short twist backward on the new QuantuMike will allow this step to be completed quicker. The secret is in the unique, patented 2mm pitch threads design — another first by Mitutoyo.

Another significant technologi-cal feature of the QuantuMike is its high-resolution. Conventional digital micrometers based on 0.5mm pitch threads subdivide one revolution of the spindle into 500 equal parts, thus reading to 0.001mm (1μm) resolu-tion. To provide the same reading for the four-times-faster QuantuMike, one spindle rotation must be divided into 2000 equal parts. For this rea-son, Mitutoyo developed a new disc encoder technology and is the first to achieve this goal.

Pioneering Design: 2mm Feed Per Revolution


Proven waterproof

The Next Generation of Micrometers

The QuantuMike is also enhanced with the following features:

Repeatable measurementThe patented ratchet thimble mecha-nism helps ensure repeatable results by transmitting microvibrations along the spindle to the contact face to provide a constant measuring force and encour-age good contact with the workpiece. The ratchet works from the thimble as well as the speeder so it is always easy to use - even when making measure-ments one-handed. The sound of the ratchet provides the user with a sense of confidence and the speeder enables the rapid spindle feed needed when meas-

uring widely different dimensions.

Function lock helps prevent errorQuantuMike is equipped with a function lock feature to prevent the origin point being moved by mistake during measurement.

Dust/water resistance with IP65 protection levelExcellent resistance against oil, water and dust enables this product to be used in machining situations that include splashing of coolant fluid.

The new QuantuMike is a break-through in the history of micrometers. This is what all future micrometers should be.

Ratchet-induced microvibrations ensure repeatable measurements

Ratchet on thimble

Ratchet on speeder



Index

A

American Machinists 13

B

B&S Pocket-type Micrometer 12Bridgeport Brass Plate Co. 12Brown and Sharpe 10, 11, 12, 13

C

Caliper Micrometer 6Count Micrometer 23

D

Digital Micrometers 22

F

Father of Machine Tools 8

G

Gascoigne, W. 6

J

JapanFirst Micrometer 15Foreign Technologies 14Industrialisation 14World War II 17

Johansson, C. E. 15Just-In-Time method 17

L

Lord Chancellor 8

M

Machine Tools 2, 3History 4

Mass Production 19Maudslay, H. 8Micrometer

“U”-shaped frame 7, 103 Meter Diameter 20Dust/water Resistance 29Function Lock 29High-Resolution 28History 4Japan 15LCD display 22Made in Japan 20, 21Mechanical Digital Counters 22Modern 10One Handed Operation 10Plug-in Connector 23Reading Error 23Repeatable Measurement 29

Micrometer Caliper 13Millionth of an Inch MeasuringMachine 9Mitutoyo

First Micrometer 16Leading Principles 16QuantuMike. See QuantuMike


N

NC Machines 24Numata, Y. 16

P

Palmer’s Micrometer 10Palmer, J. 10

Q

Quality Control System 24QuantuMike 26, 27, 28

Features 29

S

Screw Threads 26Magnification 7Principle 6

Sonoike Manufacturing Co. 15Statistical Process Control 19System Palmer 10, 11

T

Tsugami Manufacturing Co. 15

V

Victor Machine 13

W

Watt’s Tabletop Micrometer 7Watt, J. 7Whitworth, J. 9Wilmot, S. 12World War II 17, 18

Y

Yamato, Battleship 17



Mitutoyo America CorporationCorporate HeadquartersAurora, Illinois USA(630) 820-9666

Mitutoyo Canada Inc.Corporate HeadquartersMississauga, Ontario Canada(905) 821-1261

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Corporate Headquarters

M3 Solution Center

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Documents

History of Micrometer